Netflix has started its crackdown on password sharing

Password sharing on Netflix is very common. According to a survey in 2022 by Parks Associates, 40% of households share their Netflix account, with people in the 18-34 age group the most likely to exchange their passwords with people outside their household. 

However, Netflix recently announced that it would start a large crackdown on this practice. Last year, the company said it would trial a new feature to stop customers from sharing passwords. 

Password sharing is against the Terms of Service, although it’s something Netflix has typically turned a blind eye to. But now the company says it will find ways to stop this from happening as it hopes to increase its revenue from current subscribers.  

The trial initially went ahead in Costa Rica, Peru, and Chile, and will now be extended to the US, the UK, Europe, and Canada. Members on a Standard or Premium plan will be able to add sub-accounts for up to two “sub-members” they don’t live with. They will have their own profile, login, password, and personalized recommendations, and it will cost $2.99 a month. 

Netflix has pledged to get tougher on password sharing and has already started sending out emails to users who share an account with family or friends that aren’t living at the same address. 

The email was sent out to Netflix customers and stated: “A Netflix account is for use by one household. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are — at home, on the go, on holiday — and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices. 

We recognize that our members have many entertainment choices. It’s why we continue to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV shows — so whatever your taste, mood, or language and whoever you’re watching with, there’s always something satisfying to watch on Netflix.”